Graco Extend2Fit VS 4Ever DLX Car Seat – Comprehensive Comparison

Parents who are loyal to a brand and particularly to one like Graco will want to choose their next car seat from the long list of Graco car seats.

Of all Graco car seat product lines, the 4Ever DLX and Extend2Fit are among the most popular models. But which should you pick? Which meets your needs more and your budget?

This Graco Extend2fit vs 4Ever comparison article is written to take off that burden off your shoulder. My extensive research looks to compare the 4Ever and the Extend2Fit in terms of specifications, features, safety ratings, ease-of-use ratings, crash tests, and ultimately, other parents’ feedbacks on both and to help you make an easy decision in choosing between these seats.

Specification Comparison: Graco Extend2Fit VS 4Ever DLX

NHTSA Ease-of-Use Rating

The National Highway Transport and Safety Agency (NHTSA) provides a simple evaluation of car seats based on how easy it is to use different features in different modes. There is an overall ease-of-use rating for each seat to help you make a quick and informed decision.

This rating is based on four categories:

1. Evaluation of Instructions
2. Vehicle Installation Features
3. Evaluation of Labels
4. Securing the child

Ratings:

• 5 Stars = Excellent features
• 4 Stars = Above-average features
• 3 Stars = Average features
• 2 Stars = Below-average features
• 1 Star = Poor features
• N/A = Does not contain any features that require a rating

General Features Comparison: Graco Extend2Fit VS 4Ever DLX – Similarity Highlight

Safety Features

Installation Features

Ease-of-Use Features

Comfortability of a Child

Longevity, Suitability and Compatibility

Miscellaneous features

Detail Analysis of Both Seats – Which is the Winner? – Helping You Make a Decision

Going through the table, you’ll notice both seats are nearly similar in many features.

I’ll go over the similarities and differences in detail now.

Specification Comparison

On the product dimensions, the Graco 4Ever is wider than the Extend2Fit; nevertheless, either can only be fitted in 2 places in a row.

If you’ll be considering a seat based on this factor, there’s no winner.

Product Weight

The Graco 4Ever DLX is heavier than the Extend2Fit by less than 3 lbs. Both seats have a steel-reinforced frame which increases the structural integrity of the car seat.

On a lighter note, we can say the Extend2Fit wins in terms of weight.

On the other hand, you won’t be carrying either seats often as they are meant for more permanent use in a car except where you may need to switch cars, albeit rarely

Seat Modes, Weight and Height Limits

There is a significant difference between both models. The Extend2Fit comes in 4 series; 4Ever 4-in-1, 3-in-1, 2-in-1 and the Platinum, while the 4Ever DLX is a 4-in-1 car seat.

The 2-in-1 is a convertible seat in rear and forward-facing modes only, the 3-in-1 has the highback booster mode, while both 4-in-1s have an additional backless booster mode.

The Graco Extend2Fit Platinum features the ‘Rapid Remover cover’ just like the 4Ever DLX, which makes removing the car seat cover super easy.

The Platinum also features EZ Tight™ LATCH unlike the InRight™ LATCH attachment in the 3-in-1 and 4-in-1

Beyond this, the weight range for both seats is different.

The Extend2Fit series features a 4lbs-100lbs weight range with a max limit of 50 lbs. in RF, while the 4Ever DLX and the 4Ever Extend2Fit 4-in-1 gives a mouth-watering range of 4lbs-120lbs, more value in the booster seat mode (2 modes).

Both seats offer height limit of 57in giving taller children more room to grow in the 10 years they may use the car seat.

The Extend2Fit series wins when it comes to rear-facing weight limit, while the 4Ever wins when it comes to the extra booster seat mode – backless seat at 120 lbs.

Features Comparison

Coming to the meat on the bone – the features of the car seat. This is where you determine how easy it is to install, use and clean a car seat, and other peripherals included to enhance its safety.

Safety Features

Despite the fact that all car seats are made to pass very stringent federal safety standards, many manufacturers go overboard to exceed this safety requirement and add more features to give extra safety assurance.

At this point, you should note that all car seats are SAFE.

Coming to these two car seat models, they are similar.

Both seats feature the Side Impact Protection, include 5-Point Harness System, exceed Federal Safety Standards, are Crash Tested, and pass IIHS Rating for Booster Seat mode.

Side Impact Protection, 5-Point Harness System

Graco generally uses a steel-reinforced frame in their car seats. Alongside the 5-point harness system, their car seats provide optimal side impact protection in crashes.

Crash Testing

Graco generally conduct rigorous crash tests on their car seats. The crash tests include frontal, side, rear, and rollover impact crashes called the Graco ProtectPlus Engineering.

This crash test gives that assurance of extra protection in a crash.

This put both models at the same level of safety.

IIHS Rating

IIHS Rating is issued by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help parents decide the ease of using the lap and shoulder belt for a booster seat in various vehicles.

The ratings are in 4 categories:

1. BEST BETs – seats with this rating provide good belt fit in almost any car, minivan, or SUV.
2. GOOD BETs – seats with this rating provide acceptable belt fit in most cars, minivans, or SUVs.
3. Not Recommended – seats with this rating don’t provide a good belt fit and should be avoided. There are no boost seats with this rating.
4. Check Fit – are booster seats IIHS has tested that had varied results depending on a child’s size and the vehicle model.

The 4Ever DLX, Extend2Fit 3-in-1 and the other series are designated with the BEST BET rating.

This means both models will fit in “almost any car, minivan or SUV.”

Installation Features

Graco makes their seats comparatively easy to install.

These two models come with a slight difference from each other.

The Extend2Fit features the regular seat belt method for installation, while the 4Ever DLX features an integrated belt lock-off to make the seat belt method easier to use.

On the other hand, both models feature the InRight™ LATCH attachment for the LATCH method which is makes it very easy to install either seats using the LATCH/LUAS/ISOFIX system.

Ease-of-Use Features

The ease-of-use features as you would have seen from the table are comparatively the same.

The major difference would be the 4-position adjustable extension panel (extra legroom).

The Extend2Fit features an extension panel that offers extra legroom space as the child grows and can only be used when rear-facing.

The 4Ever DLX lacks this feature and that is because it has a lower max limit of 40 lbs. and is slightly lower in height.

Every other features such as; harness storage, harness storage, harness holder, harness and headrest adjustments, machine washable, recline positions and removable cups are present and similar.

Comfortability of a Child

No matter how safe a car seat may be, it is not worth the purpose if it is not comfortable enough for a child.

On a good note, both seats are very comfortable. They are well padded and come with soft plush fabric that is breathable and nice to the skin. They also come with 2 newborn inserts (head and body supports), which offer even more comfort for tiny babies and are removable as they grow.

Parents who have used either of these seats praise them for their comfort.

Therefore, it is a tie based on comfort. Not a bad deal anyway.

Expiration

Both seats have a lifespan of 10 years. That means either seat will expire 10 years from the date of manufacture.

Each car seat has its DOM provided on the side of the car seat. You’ll have to refer to the side of the seat when you receive your delivery to confirm the exact manufacturing date.

You must stop using a car seat once it expires or when involved in a car crash.

Learn more about why car seats have expiry dates here.

FAA Approved

Both models are approved for use on aircrafts. Both seats must be used on forward-facing aircraft seats, and can be used in rear- or forward-facing mode, but must not be used as booster seat since aircraft seats do not have shoulder belts.

Wrap-up: Decision-Making Points

While I rated the Extend2Fit at 9.0 in the review here (Extend2Fit Review) and the Graco 4Ever DLX review 9.0, before writing this comparison review, it was based on their individual features. Such high ratings for each of the seats.

So far from this comparison, we can see that the 4Ever vs Extend2Fit are comparably the same.

The major difference is the extended usage in rear-facing, up to 50 lbs. which earns the name “Extend2Fit.”

Another difference which is a plus to 4Ever is that it has a upper max weight limit of 120 lbs. (an additional backless booster seat).

Other than these 2 major differences, major other features are similar.

These 2 factors can help you make the right decision on which of the seats to go for.

On the other hand, if you are constrained by budget, you may feel you need to find more money to go for the supposed higher model, but in reality, they are both excellent.

You may want to go for the higher one if you are so comfortable financially wise; otherwise, the choice is very plain.

FAQs – Extend2Fit vs 4Ever

What is the difference between the Graco DLX and extend to fit?

The differences between the Graco DLX and extend to fit are:

1. The Graco DLX comes as a single type of a mode – 4-in-1 (4 modes); the Extend to fit comes in 3 different modes – 2-in-1, 3-in-1, and 4-in-1 (4Ever Extend2Fit 4-in-1).
2. The Graco DLX has a weight range of 4 – 120 lbs. (an additional seat mode – backless booster seat); Extend2Fit has a weight range of 4 – 100 lbs., while the 4-in-1 is similar to the DLX.
3. The Graco DLX in rear-facing mode has a weight limit of 40 lbs., while the Extend2Fit has a weight limit of 50 lbs.

Does Graco Extend2Fit become a booster?

Yes, the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 becomes a highback booster seat but doesn’t become a backless booster seat. The Graco Extend2Fit 2-in-1 does not become a booster seat; it is only a rear and forward-facing seat.

Does the Graco 4Ever Extend?

The Graco 4Ever DLX does not have the extension panel so it does not extend, but the Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit 4-in-1 and the other Extend2Fit series have the extension panel which extends by 5 inches in rear-facing only.

How many years is a Graco Extend2Fit good for?

The Graco Extend2Fit is good for 10 years from the date of manufacture. The DOM can be found on the sticker on the back of the seat. You should stop using the car seat immediately it passes the expiration date.

Final Wrap Up – Which Should You Go For?

As a final wrap-up of the Graco 4Ever DLX vs Extend2Fit car seats comparison, seeing very plainly the similarities and differences in the specifications and features, we can see both seats are similar in many features and majorly different in 2 features.

On a personal preference, I’d go for the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 over the 4Ever DLX because of the 50 lbs. weight limit in rear-facing. And then, it is cheaper and yet offers same quality features.

Nonetheless, both seats are safe, comfortable and easy to use.

Ultimately, it’s all about the safety of our precious ones, which every car seat on the market promises by meeting stringent federal safety standards and as long as the manufacturers do not recall them.

I hope I have been able to help you with my detailed research and comprehensive comparison of the Graco Extend 2 Fit vs Graco 4Ever car seats.